Cruises From Norfolk, VA

Amid the battleships and aircraft carriers docked in the shipyards of Norfolk, Virginia are some of the world's largest and most luxurious cruise ships whose mission is to bring passengers to exotic ports of call throughout the Atlantic coastal islands and beyond. Two cruise companies operate out of Norfolk. All cruise ships board from the Half Moon Cruise and Celebration Center.   

When your feet are on dry land again, a hiking trip to Suffolk's Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is well worth your time.

Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean offers a cruise from Norfolk to the Caribbean with stops at San Juan, Puerto Rico; St Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Samana, Dominican Republic; and Labadee, Haiti. Cruises are on the Royal Caribbean ship Enchantment Of The Seas, renovated in 2005. This luxury liner includes themed bars and lounges, an open atrium featuring shopping, pool area featuring an interactive splash deck, solarium with a sliding roof, an indoor/outdoor pool and special youth facilities. In addition to fine dining from a myriad of restaurants and dining rooms, there is a luxurious day spa and fitness center. Royal Caribbean's Caribbean cruise is a nine-night adventure.

Bermuda Cruises

The Royal Caribbean ship Enchantment of the Seas makes a round-trip circuit from Norfolk to Kings Wharf on Bermuda, spending more than 24 hours in the Bermuda port. While at this Bermuda port, guests can enjoy the pink sandy beaches and British lifestyle. Motor scooters and bicycles are available for rent or you can play golf at one of the island nation's eight golf courses.

Bahamas Cruises

The Carnival cruise line offers Bahamas cruises on the Carnival Glory, a 3,000 passenger ship with over 1,600 staterooms, most of which have balconies. The ship has 22 drinking establishments including discos, sports bars and intimate nightclubs. The ship also features a huge spa with two indoor whirlpools and the latest in weight and exercise technology. The cruise spends just short of two days in Nassau and another day in Freeport for a total of six days cruising.

Cruise To Nowhere

For those looking to just cruise with no ports-of-call, Carnival offers a Norfolk-based "cruise to nowhere" on the Carnival Glory, a floating resort. The cruise includes food, live entertainment (stage shows, music and comedy) and special programs for kids. Cruises to nowhere tend to cost less than destination cruises with all the same offerings on board.

Resources

Article Written By Tom Nari

Tom Nari has been writing professionally since 1998 and has written extensively for a variety of websites. He has coached competitive swimmers and triathletes and holds an additional degree in Kinesiology Theory, specializing in nutrition and resistance training. Nari holds a Master of Arts in creative writing from Loyola Marymount University.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...